Your American friend got a teaching job in Japan.

Help your friend learn about the education system in Japan.

IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL

1. Read an email from your friend about his/her new teaching job in Japan.
2. Discuss with your friend his/her concerns about teaching in Japan.
3. Find out what issues your friend is having with his/her students and give him/her advice.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box.

fill in the gaps
a necessary evil
unwind
level the playing field
build character

1. I make sure I give my children time to relax after a hard day at school.

 

2. The school banned clothes with labels to make it fair for the poorer students.

 

3. A few cashiers just quit, so we’re using a few customer service people to cover their shifts until we hire new ones.

 

4. Doing volunteer work can help improve your personality.

 

5. I don’t like coffee, but I need to drink it because I have to stay awake to study for my exams.

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the underlined expressions used correctly? If not, change the sentences.

1. My boss oversteps his boundaries a lot. He tries not to ask his employees personal questions.

 

2. Some parents think it’s okay to discipline children by hitting them, but others disagree.

 

3. There’s a fine line between being brave and being reckless. You can easily differentiate them.

 

4. It’s important to instill values in students while they’re still young so they can develop proper morals and manners.

 

5. Mr. Keys teaches his son to use his words, not his fists. He doesn’t want his son to get into fights.

MISSION

Challenge 1

Read an email from your friend about his/her new teaching job in Japan.

Remember?

  • a necessary evil
  • fill in the gaps
  • overstep one's boundaries
  • build character

Hello!

I can’t believe that just 8 months ago I told you that I wanted to be an ALT in Japan, and now I’m officially employed at Interex!

I got hired two months ago, and they sent me an email this morning saying that I’ll be teaching at a high school in Fukuoka! My visa should be approved very shortly.

I’m so excited to start teaching there, but honestly, I’m nervous too. It’s going to be a challenge living and working in a foreign place. My parents are being really supportive, though. They told me that facing new challenges in life helps build character, and that made me feel a bit more confident. I guess living alone in Japan is just a necessary evil I have to go through if I really want to start my career as a teacher there.

You know, another reason why I’m nervous is that I don’t know much about the teaching practices in Japan. I don’t want to overstep my boundaries as a teacher, like by being too friendly with the students or being too strict with them.

Honestly, there are still a lot of things I have to learn once I get there. I’m happy that Interex is going to have a few seminars and some other training for new ALTs to help us fill in the gaps.

Anyway, I have a lot of things to prepare before my flight next week, so I’ll cut it here.

Hope to see you once I get there!

 

Challenge 2

You’re hanging out with your friend who just arrived in Japan a few days ago. Talk with your friend about his/her concerns about teaching in Japan and give him/her some advice.

Remember?

  • discipline someone
  • instill values in someone
  • use one's words
  • there’s a fine line between something and something

Don't forget to speak your mind!

  • There is a part of me that says…
  • In retrospect, …
  • I have nothing against…
  • Come on!

Challenge 3

A few weeks later, you’re meeting with your friend again. He/She is concerned about some of his/her students’ behavior in class. Discuss your friend’s concerns.

Remember?

  • unwind
  • level the playing field
  • a necessary evil

Don't forget to speak your mind!

  • There is a part of me that says…
  • In retrospect, …
  • I have nothing against…
  • Come on!

FEEDBACK

Help your friend learn about the education system in Japan.

MISSION ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK